AT&T finally gets with the program when it comes to smartphone tethering

When AT&T introduced its tiered
smartphone data plans last year, most customers were quite upset with the
move. While some customers that didn't use much data could actually end up
saving a bit with the Data Plus 200MB ($15) and Data Pro 2GB ($25) plans, most
hardcore smartphone users decided to stick to their grandfathered unlimited
data plans ($30).

However, AT&T was especially sneaky with its tethering
package for Data Pro users. Even though tethering usually results in increased
data usage, AT&T
decided to keep the data limits firm at 2GB. This was probably the most
egregious move on AT&T's part when it switched to its tiered data plans.

Customers that are already on the Data Pro plan with
tethering will automatically see an extra 2GB of data show up on their
accounts. Once you go over the 4GB limit, however, you'll be charged an overage
fee of $10 per gigabyte.

"Our customers want to connect as many devices as
possible to the nation's fastest mobile broadband network, which is getting
faster with 4G," said David Christopher, chief marketing officer, AT&T
Mobility and Consumer Markets.

"We want to extend the benefits of an additional 2GB to
smartphone customers on our tethering plan. This delivers more value today for the
price they're already paying – and that's what our customers want."

It’s nice to hear that AT&T finally listened to what its
“customers wanted” even though the move comes about eight months too late.